Clean windows without streaks

When is the best time to clean windows?

It is a little surprising that young housewives often do not know when to wash windows in spring and autumn. The answer lies on the surface: the optimal time for washing windows is cloudy, calm weather with positive temperatures. More difficult during summer cleaning. The sun, heat and breeze, even a small one, quickly dry the detergent both outside and inside the room. And these are divorces that are removed with difficulty. In addition, in bright light it is difficult to assess the quality of work - glare makes it impossible to see poorly washed and polished places.

What is the best way to clean windows

In trade, you can find more than a hundred items of household chemicals for washing windows. And each of them promises to easily and quickly wash off any contamination with an ideal result: the glass will be so transparent that it is difficult to notice. Here you need to understand that advertising is ready to promise "mountains of gold". After all, her task is to attract a buyer. But among the proposed products there are really highly effective solutions that allow you to wash windows cleanly and without streaks. Here you need to focus primarily on personal experience, no matter what: positive or negative, as well as reviews of neighbors, friends, relatives.

There is another way: make your own detergent.After all, the grandmothers of the younger generation did not see the variety of "chemistry" that occupied the shelves of supermarkets and specialized stores, but washed the glass with improvised means. At the same time, it is not worse than famous brands. There are many advantages to this approach:

• saving the family budget;
• the absence of a pungent odor, despite various fragrances, as well as substances that can cause allergies;
• the quality of washing is not worse than that of purchased products.

Chemistry

The rating of the best detergents, their strengths and weaknesses are given in the work "The best window cleaners without streaks." Here is a list of them:

• "Mr. Muscle "Professional - according to users, the best tool for cleaning windows;
• "Frosch Glass Cleaner" - without streaks, quickly removes any type of pollution;
• "Clin" Windows and Mirrors - polishes glass well;
• CIF is an inexpensive but effective detergent;
• "Help" is the best fat remover;
• "KARCHER" (Kercher) RM 503 for cleaning windows - a professional product for cleaning glazing with excellent consumer properties;
• "Cinderella" - makes it possible for a budget price to wash windows with acceptable quality.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies have not let housewives down for centuries. They washed, maybe not as fast as commercially available chemicals, but with high quality and without streaks. Cooking does not take much time - just mix the ingredients in a couple of minutes and you can get to work.

The most popular among the hostesses of the older generation were:

• soap solution;
• soda with vinegar;
• lemon;
• a piece of chalk;
• glycerol;
• starch;
• ammonia;
• fabric softener.

These components are not in short supply and have always been on store shelves. Even in times of total shortages that engulfed the Soviet Union.

Window cleaning rules

To successfully wash windows, you should:

1. Choose the best day.If you wash in sunny or windy weather, detergents will dry quickly, leaving stains. Windless, overcast weather required.
2. Prepare the necessary tools/ingredients in advance.
3. Clean the frames, wait for drying. Remove unnecessary items from the windowsill.
4. Wash first from the outside, then from the inside.
5. Wipe vertically, then horizontally. This will help you avoid divorce.
6. Use protective gloves: rubber and cotton.
7. Do not use abrasive powders.
8. At the end, polish and lubricate the fittings with machine oil.
   

We wash according to the instructions without special tools

Experienced housewives know that cleaning a window does not mean polishing the glass to a shine, all parts of the structure deserve attention. You should start with preparation: remove the curtains, nets, free the window sill. Then proceed to the main part.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Cleaning frames with soapy water. In case of severe contamination, it is necessary to use professional liquids.
2. Removal of dirt and stains from double-glazed windows. You can use a sponge with a special tool, moving from top to bottom (repeat twice).
3. Processing of glass and profile joints. This is where most of the dirt accumulates. Do not allow alcohol-based solution to come into contact with the seal.
4. Glass rubbing. Use a dry cloth or microfiber cloth to avoid streaks on the glass.
5. The final stage is the window sill. Even persistent pollution should not be removed with household chemicals with an aggressive composition.

You can do without a magnetic brush and a mop with a telescopic handle if:

• you need to wash the windows in a private house, you can use a stepladder and do it from the side of the street;
• the sashes open inward - in this case, the process must begin with them.

In other cases, without risk to the life and health of the hostess, it is possible to clean the glass from the outside only with the use of special assistants.

Outside, glasses are subject to rapid and severe contamination, so as not to wash them twice, it is better to use effective industrial solutions right away.

Folk remedies

To safely clean plastic windows, you can use budgetary funds:

1. Soap. It must be grated (preferably household), dissolved in water, applied with a sponge to the surface, rinsed with clean water and wiped dry.
2. Vinegar. Eliminates streaks, repels insects. 50 g of the substance must be mixed with 200 g of warm water. Apply to the glass surface with a spray bottle, wipe dry.
3. Glycerol. With a solution (60 ml added to 40 ml of water), it is necessary to wipe the glass. Suitable for the prevention of pollution, to combat stains, add 2-3 drops of ammonia to the liquid.
4. Ammonia. Effective in the fight against nicotine plaque, cleans and disinfects the surface. It is necessary to mix 2 tbsp. l of ammonia and 400 ml of water, apply to the surface and wipe with a dry, lint-free cloth.
5. Lemon juice. Ammonia and vinegar have a strong smell that not everyone likes. In this case, you can prepare a solution of lemon juice (50 ml) and water (200 ml). The processing principle is the same.

When cleaning glass with a solution of vinegar and ammonia, it is necessary to avoid getting liquid on the rubber seal and profile, the aggressive composition of substances can damage them.

Household chemicals

Manufacturers of plastic windows recommend using products specifically designed for them. Most popular:

1. Spray Clin "Windows and Mirrors" - an alcohol-based product will clean and form a water-repellent film on the glass surface. Easy to use, economical, does not require polishing, does not leave streaks. The price is from 120 rubles.
2. Muscle liquid liquid with ammonia is conveniently applied to the glass surface thanks to the dispersion spray. Leaves no streaks, copes with stubborn dirt (oil, soot). The price is from 120 rubles.
3. Cif is an alcohol-based liquid that effectively fights grease stains and stubborn dirt, and effortlessly cleans glass. Easy to use, economical thanks to spray. The price is from 100 rubles.

Comparing industrial products and solutions prepared at home, the housewives agreed: they give the same result, but the first category allows you to tidy up the window faster, and the second practically does not affect the family budget.

Useful Devices

Assistants that make life easier for housewives and relieve them of the need to risk their lives are not a luxury, but a necessity in every home.

• A mop with a telescopic handle is an indispensable assistant in hard-to-reach places. The kit includes a handle and two nozzles: with a sponge for cleaning glass and rubber for removing water.

The advantages of the device are low weight and adjustable handle length. It may not be possible to wash the window perfectly the first time, certain skills are required. It is necessary to work with smooth movements from top to bottom.

The main criterion for selection is the length of the handle, it must be more than 2 m.Optimum - the height of the double-glazed window plus 50 cm.

• Magnetic brush

The device consists of two identical parts covered with a sponge and a magnet that allows you to hold the two halves in the same position.

Principle of operation:

• dip the sponges in the prepared soap solution;
• put the appliance cord on your hand to hold the brush in case of a fall;
• put one part on the outside of the glass, the second on the inside;
• start moving the inner half from the edge of the glass to the center, the outer one will exactly repeat the movements.

The device saves the hostess's time, takes care of her safety, there is a minus - not all models operate on two or three-chamber double-glazed windows.

• Scraper (rubber tie)

Another name for a brush is a water dispenser.A rubber nozzle 20-60 cm wide fits snugly against the glass and forces moisture to escape in the direction of travel. Recommended direction from top to bottom, the scraper is ineffective in chaotic movement.

When choosing, they are guided by the width of the nozzle, which depends on the width of the windows that will be processed by it.

• A steam cleaner is a versatile device that works like an iron. Water is poured into the device, brought to a boil, the air stream saturated with steam exits under pressure.

Guarantees deep cleansing of all types of dirt. Powerful flow and air temperature will clean not only windows, any surface.

The window must first be prepared: clean the frame, remove excess moisture. After that, moving from top to bottom, the glass is treated with steam. Advantage - 100% cleaning result even in hard-to-reach places.

When choosing, you need to pay attention to the weight and size, the device should be comfortable to hold in your hands. It is better to trust well-known manufacturers.

The appliance must not be filled with ordinary water. Boiled, filtered. The best option is distilled.

How to clean plastic windows without streaks

You can wash the glass without leaving streaks using chemicals and “grandmother's recipes”. It is convenient to have special equipment at hand: a holder and a water spout. Devices help to get rid of stubborn dirt. There are several ways to remove traces of streaks.

• Take ammonia and add to water in a ratio of 1:10. Rinse the previously washed glasses with the solution. Wipe with a dry cloth and paper towels. Ammonia does not leave streaks and quickly removes traces of dirt from the glass.
• Glasses will shine if you clean them with vinegar. Add a few tablespoons of vinegar to a liter of water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Then spray the contents onto the glass and rub quickly over the surface. It is better to clean the glass with paper towels or a window cleaner. Wipe the glass dry.The method will make it possible to completely remove traces of streaks. In sunny weather, you should not use this method. The liquid will dry quickly and will not be able to effectively clean the surface.
• Perfectly removes traces of stains tooth powder. You will need 3 tablespoons of powder dissolved in a glass of water. Apply the composition to the glass, and when it dries, wipe it with a newspaper.

Windows, when they are washed at least once every six months, let in more light and save heat in the house.

Why do stains remain on windows and how to remove them?

When water with a cleaning solution dries up due to hot weather, wind, or when it was not wiped well, streaks appear.

Therefore, you do not need to clean double-glazed windows in hot or windy weather, when the water dries quickly. You can get rid of stains by rinsing, processing with special equipment at the final stage, and rubbing with a newspaper or a fiberglass rag.

General rules for the care of plastic windows

Here are some tips to help you take care of your windows, frames, and fittings.

After installing the windows, be sure to remove the mounting film. Under the action of the rays of the sun, it eats into the plastic, and then it is impossible to remove it without a trace.

Always keep several different products on hand to quickly clean fresh stains: alcohol, acetone-free nail polish remover, vinegar, chalk, or an all-purpose cleaner for all surfaces. This will help remove the stain immediately, preventing it from drying out.

Periodically, it is necessary to wipe the rubber window seals with special silicone grease, and lubricate the fasteners and other fittings with machine oil.

Wipe window sills, frames and handles from fresh dust and dirt once a week. If there are flowerpots on the window, take care of them carefully, without damaging the surface of the plastic window sill.

Periodically clean the entire plastic structure.

Why plastic turns yellow

In order for window frames to always remain snow-white, it is necessary to know what causes them to turn yellow, and, as far as possible, to prevent harmful factors from aggressively affecting the plastic.

The following effects lead to the appearance of yellowness:

• weather conditions: temperature fluctuations, sunshine, high humidity;
• use for cleaning windows with abrasive additives;
• washing frames with products that destroy the structure of plastic;
• plastic absorbs nicotine, soot, fat, so a yellow coating appears and the color fades;
• the surface of the frame was contaminated with plaster or mounting foam.

Often, to reduce costs, a manufacturer uses cheap polymers that do not contain light stabilizers. Therefore, you should choose an installation company after a thorough check of the reputation and study of customer reviews.

How to whiten plastic windows

You can bleach plastic with special commercially available products. They come in the form of sprays or chlorine-soaked cleaning wipes, ready-to-use, and come in convenient packaging. But the right effective remedy can cause allergies. Before working with them, wear safety goggles and rubber gloves.

Of the special formulations, the following are considered effective:

• Automotive cosmetics. Cleaning products for plastics in cars are well suited for washing window frames. A PVC spray is convenient for this. It should be sprayed on the surface and wait a certain time, then rinse with water. This tool not only cleans, but also covers the surface with a protective film.
• Napkins for computers. They are impregnated with non-aggressive substances and are suitable for many surfaces, including plastic. Help to wipe it back to its original state.
  
• Special formulations for cleaning PVC surfaces. To eliminate yellowness, in most cases, special chemical compounds are used. They are produced by manufacturers in the form of gels, pastes, sprays and creams.They help to remove old yellowness, restore the snow-whiteness of the plastic surface and provide an antistatic effect. Able to wash dirt, yellowness, minor scratches and roughness.It is easy to apply them: you need to apply the composition on a cotton cloth and rub the contaminated area with it in a circular motion.
• Aerosol paint. Does not clean, but simply paints over problem areas, suitable for plastic frames. It needs to be applied to yellow spots and allowed to dry. Seal clean areas with tape before this.
  The use of special means occurs in accordance with the instructions indicated on the packaging. It is important to take precautions.

How to wash plastic windows from yellowness at home

It is not always possible to use store-bought products to clean frames from yellowness and dirt. They are not at hand, often refuse to use due to fear of developing an allergic reaction. Then folk recipes come to the rescue. At the same time, accessible and safe components are used. They do not harm plastic, because they do not contain abrasive particles and aggressive substances.

There are several ways to clean windows at home, each of which has its own instructions.

• Laundry soap

It is used as a bleach for white items, so it is effective for bleaching window sills and plastic frames, but only if the color has changed from dust or grease contamination.

How to apply it:

1. Grind the bar on a grater.
2. Pour the chips with warm water, you should get a solution in the form of a slurry.
3. Using a soft brush or sponge, rub the contaminated areas with the solution.
4. Hold for 30 minutes or one hour.
5. Wipe off the soap solution with a damp cloth.

The method is not suitable for strong and chronic pollution. But cleans fresh stains very well. The procedure is carried out several times a month.

• Tooth powder and chalk

Whitening plastic is possible with tooth powder or chalk.This is a safe product, has a good smell and does not harm the structure of the plastic.It is necessary to wet the problem area, sprinkle with powder or chalk and carefully process with a sponge. Remove product residue with a damp cloth.

• Soda and washing powder

Both components can be used separately or together. Take half a liter of hot water and pour a spoonful of ingredients into it. Dissolve everything and lubricate the contaminated and yellowed places with a mixture. Leave on for 8-10 hours, then rinse with warm water.

• Vinegar

To clean plastic with this product, you need to protect yourself with a face mask and gloves. Work carefully so that the essence does not get into the eyes. Rub the yellowed places with vinegar using a cotton pad and leave, no need to rinse. Window plastic can be cleaned with vinegar and soda. Sprinkle baking soda and a sponge soaked in acid on the stains and rub thoroughly. If it doesn't clear once, you can repeat.

• Citric acid and chlorine

The mixture is used for different surfaces: window frames, window sills, inside refrigerators. It does not harm the structure of the coating. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid chemical burns. It is necessary to combine both components in one part and after wetting the stains, apply the mixture on them. Hold for 30 minutes and wash off.

• Hydrogen peroxide

It whitens the plastic surface well. It is enough to soak cotton wool with it and treat the yellow places. Once may not be enough, you should repeat the procedure. Or wet contaminated areas with peroxide and hold longer.

Each housewife chooses her own, more effective way of bleaching plastic window frames. It must be safe, both for humans and for plastic.Regular cleaning of window frames will make them snow-white and will please the eye for a long time.

How to choose a rag?

When choosing a rag for cleaning windows, you need to start from what material it is made of. Possible options:

1. Faux suede. It collects water and dirt well, does not leave behind villi.
2. Microfiber.A reusable rag that not only collects dirt, but also perfectly polishes the glass.
3. Viscose. Such rags are suitable for applying detergent, but it will be problematic to collect moisture with their help.

Popular TM rags for cleaning windows:

• Master fresh from microfiber (80 rubles),
• Starwax microfiber (320 rubles),
• napkin Bagi "Miracle rag" made of viscose (520 rubles), etc.

Difficulties with lattices

If the window frames open into the living space, then washing the windows with bars is not difficult. The situation is more complicated with cast fixed structures.

There are several options:

1. Use a steam cleaner. Its nozzle is inserted into the existing opening and the device is connected to the network. Under the influence of steam, all dirt will dissolve, even without the use of detergents. However, if the opening is too narrow, then wipe the glass with a cloth will not work.
2. Residents of the first floors (subject to a low location of windows) can use the Karcher mini-wash. This device supplies water under high pressure. After its use, not only glass, but also gratings will be perfectly clean. If there is no Karcher, then a regular hose will do, but its efficiency is lower.
3. Call the experts. They have devices available to help with any task. However, cleaning services will cost money.

The last and most time-consuming option is the removal of window structures.Although it will not be possible to do without special knowledge and tools.

We work at height

On the first floors, wet cleaning is not difficult. The stage of work is the same as when washing the inside. But what about those housewives who live on high floors? The main thing is to choose the right tools and observe safety precautions.

Suitable tools

In addition to the basic fixtures that were listed above, you will need special tools here. One of the main elements is a coupler or a mop with a long handle. They can qualitatively wash a blind window from the outside.Which mop to choose? It can be a wooden product on which we hang a rag. A metal mop designed for mopping floors is not suitable, as it will leave streaks.

There is a wide variety of screeds on the market, from which you can choose a model with different nozzles, handle lengths. A product where the last parameter is adjustable is best suited. Sponge and fiber nozzle - for removing light dirt. If there is a rubber water pump (scraper), then we remove dried spots, for example, drops of cement. After water procedures, the surfaces are wiped with a dry cloth.

To remove strong pollution, including dried pieces of plaster, waste products of birds, you can use ordinary soapy water. We simply apply it before using other detergents or sticking to a high concentration of soap.

Security measures

Often cleaning begins in the spring. In this case, you should wait until all the snow has melted, the frosts have stopped. We choose strong and reliable, stable ladders, tables or chairs.When cleaning on the upper floors, we do not stand on the edge of the window sill, we do not stick our bodies out.

If there is no practice of cleaning at height, the necessary tools, then it is better to use the help of professionals. Choose a cleaning company and order the service.

Good housewives try to clean windows quickly and on time without streaks. The right time for the first “general” in each new year is Maundy Thursday before Easter. Interestingly, our ancestors paid special attention to washing windows, believing that clean “eyes” of the home are the key to the well-being of the family. According to signs, when processing glass, you need to put coins into the water in order to increase the well-being of the family.

Life hacks for washing at height

It is necessary to wash windows at a height with insurance. Well, if this role will be performed by a second person. He must hold the washer by the body when he leans out.

Do not stand on a ladder or stool next to an open window.Loss of balance can lead to a fall from a high floor.

For safer care of double-glazed windows, you can use special tools, such as a telescopic mop or a window cleaning robot. Read more about window cleaning on high floors here.

FAQ

Before washing a double-glazed window for the first time, the factory protective film is removed from it. If this is not done, it will adhere tightly to the surface under the influence of high temperature. It will be almost impossible to clean it later.

• Plastic windows are washed from the outside from top to bottom, and from the inside from right to left. First you need to remove the main contamination, and then rinse the clean surface from the remnants of detergents. At the very end of the work, the glass is rubbed to a bright shine.
• Cleaning the windows in the apartment will help a solution of vinegar (100 ml or less) per liter of water. It is convenient that at the same time water with vinegar can be used as a rinse aid.
• Plastic windows cannot be cleaned with metal sponges and coarse brushes, because they can easily damage the surface of the frames and double-glazed windows.
• Special shop sprays for plastic windows cope with washing most quickly and efficiently. The product is sprayed over the entire surface with frequent zigzags, and then wiped with a soft cloth. For convenience, a screed is also used, which ideally removes dirty stains. If the model is equipped with a long handle, it can also wash glass from the outside.
• First, you should wash the frames, all working mechanisms, glass, and only after that the window sill.
• Wet wipes designed for window cleaning work well on light soiling and should only be used for cleaning purposes.
• It has been empirically found that it is worth washing windows in warm cloudy calm weather or when the sun does not hit the window.This will allow you to wash the surface without streaks, otherwise the sun's rays or the wind will quickly dry the glass, which will cause iridescent spots.

How often you need to wash windows, each housewife decides on her own, based on objective factors. For example, owners of apartments on the ground floor or residents of a house located along a highway will have to do this at least once every three months. But in any case, it will not be difficult to cope with this task if you have modern or home-made window glass care products at hand.